Hearne Police Officer resigns during investigation

A Hearne Police Sergeant under investigation has resigned.

City leaders still won't tell us exactly what the complaints were against Sergeant Stephen Yohner after he resigned Tuesday.

Part of his resignation said,

"With this letter I hereby tender my resignation effective immediately with the City of Hearne Police Department to pursue other opportunities."

Yohner was part of an investigation into city council member Rodrick Jackson, who faces a misdemeanor charge for inappropriate contact with a minor.

Ty Clevenger is Jackson's attorney and claims it's politically motivated.

"I'm a little surprised that he didn't resign sooner. He's actually hurt himself because now it's public the reasons for his resignation or at least some of them are. So that's going to follow him which is sad for him. That said it's very sad for the City of Hearne because that city has been plagued with a lot of troubles for a long time," said Clevenger.

News 3 has reached out to the Police Department numerous times for answers on the investigation into Yohner in recent weeks.

Wednesday afternoon we paid a visit in person.

"My name is Clay Falls with KBTX Channel 3. I was going to see if Chief Williams might be back in this afternoon? We were going to try to visit with him if he had some availability?," asked News 3's Clay Falls.

"He is unavailable," the police employee said.

News 3 has also filled out several open records requests to obtain documents on the investigation. When we stopped by City Hall the City Secretary told me they've forwarded the case to the Attorney General to review.

City Manager John Naron says they want to be careful on what they release as they don't have a city attorney presently.

Mayor Ruben Gomez told us Sergeant Yohner is going on to better things . He tells us it's his understanding the officer would like to continue a career in law enforcement.

Yohner had been on paid administrative leave since March 31st.

We also reached out to Yohner's attorney Wednesday for comment but did not hear back.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement says they are currently not investigating as they haven't received a complaint.

Rodrick Jackson's trial starts May 4th.

*Previous Story*

A Hearne Police officer has resigned while being under investigation.

Sergeant Stephen Yohner resigned Tuesday according to Hearne Mayor Ruben Gomez.

Gomez sent a letter to Hearne city council members Tuesday stating that the city received several complaints involving Yohner. The mayor said because it was a personnel matter, it couldn't be discussed without an attorney and Yohner present.

"Currently the City of Hearne is without an attorney. I was informed by Chief Thomas Williams that Sergeant Yohner tendered his resignation on 4/25/2017 at 3:58 p.m.," Gomez wrote. He also said that Chief Thomas accepted the resignation and that Yohner is no longer employed by the city.

Yohner had been on paid administrative leave since March 31st. The city has not shared additional details on a complaint filed against him.

Gomez told us he believes Yohner wants to continue a career in law enforcement.

Yohner also served as the media contact for the city.